The Sussex County Council gave preliminary approval to move forward on negotiations with the state to convert 376 acres of farmland to woodlands.

The land off Wolfe Neck Road near Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes is currently utilized by Sussex County for spray irrigation at the Wolfe Neck Regional Wastewater Facility.

With the project, the land would continue to be used for spraying treated wastewater. However, rather than discharging onto crops as has been done the past 20 years, the waste would irrigate hundreds of acres of trees and vegetation, to be planted in the coming years with assistance from the Center for the Inland Bays.

The Sussex County Council voted unanimously to approve the project.

"This project shows how we see our long-term plans and how we should utilize facilities," Sussex County Engineer Hans Medlarz said. "This benefits both the environment and the citizens of Sussex County."

Medlarz said the way the land is currently used leaves three unhappy parties: the farmer of the land, the state and the county.

The move, Medlarz said, will make all parties involved pleased because the farmer will be able to get out of his contract, currently in its fourth year out of 10 total, and the county and state regain control of the land.

Prior to this move, Medlarz said it was a constant battle to control the land between the state, farmer and county.

"We have a path forward by documenting the loses based on the (analysis) by the state, who will individually review it and come back to us with what his compensation will be," he said. "it is an opportune time given the current state of our investment to do this."

With the vote, the council took the first step to approving the use of the land. Additionally, they also took the first step to leasing the land, with a one-year extension for the current use proposed and then a 25-year lease for the proposed purpose with another 25 years possible if the county decides to extend the lease after the first 25 years.

"I don't see anything changing which would cause a problem," said Ray Bivens, the director of Delaware State Parks. "A 25-year agreement with the option for an additional 25 years is our standard agreement."

Bivens said the situation is a win-win and an improvement of what is there currently.

Councilmember Rob Arlett was very pleased with the proposal and the many uses the land could serve.

"We could be educating our students out there," he said. "This is an excellent opportunity to educate."

Right now, there are some insufficient sanitary facilities, Medlarz said, which would require new facilities.

He added there is very little data for the nutrient uptake from converting land from farmland to woodland.

This project would differ from other land areas that have been converted to forest ares because the others are tree plantations rather than true woodland, he said.

If the trees are to be harvested, Medlarz said the state would have to initiate it.

"You do not want to spend all this money to renaturalize this ground and then lose it," he said. "You will need some data and we have worked closely with University of Delaware ... and we feel comfortable that this natural habitat will provide an uptake of nutrients in the long term."

In the meantime, the State Division of Parks and Recreation would build walking trails and open select areas to the public, which currently cannot access the parcel within the state park. The restored woodlands would provide a diverse habitat for wildlife and the new walking paths would add to the current trail system in that area.

In terms of the formal proposal, there is still work to be done, including the total cost of the project.

"The attorneys will draft the first round of the release given the conditions we outlined today," Medlarz said. "At that point, we will come back to you with a full presentation."

If the council gives its final approval, county officials expect the project to take between three to five years to fully complete.